Best Camping Meals to Inspire Your Fall Camping Trips
- Emily Richards
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
There’s something about fall camping that makes food taste better. Maybe it’s the crisp air, maybe it’s the fact that you’re bundled in a hoodie around a fire, or maybe it’s just the simple truth that food always tastes better outside. Either way, planning meals for a camping trip doesn’t have to be stressful, and it definitely doesn’t have to be boring.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best camping breakfasts, lunches, and dinners we’ve made this year that will fuel your adventures and make your campsite feel a little more like home (without hauling your whole kitchen along).
Camping Meal number 1: Breakfast
Start your day with cozy, simple breakfasts that are easy to prep / can be prepped at home before you go:
Overnight oats – Mix oats, chia seeds, milk, and fruit in a jar the night before. In the morning, it’s ready to grab and go.
Pancakes (just add water mix) – Nothing beats hot pancakes by the fire. Bonus points if you add chocolate chips or blueberries.
Chia pudding – Light, nutritious, and a great make-ahead option for busy mornings.
Premade breakfast burritos – Wrap eggs, cheese, and veggies (or sausage/bacon) in tortillas, wrap in foil, and reheat over the fire.
Avocado toast – Simple, filling, and so satisfying when paired with camp coffee.
Eggs and bacon – Crack your eggs into a Nalgene before you leave home to avoid broken shells in the cooler. Genius!
Fresh fruit – Apples, bananas, and oranges pack easily and keep well.
Coffee (obviously) – Whether you’re a pour-over person, French press fan, or cowboy-coffee diehard, don’t skip the ritual.
Lunches
Midday meals should be quick, packable, and require minimal cleanup so you can get back to the trails, lakes, or hammocks:
BLT sandwiches – Crispy bacon, juicy tomato, crunchy lettuce = classic win.
Premade tamales – Easy to steam over a fire or camp stove, hearty, and filling.
Pressed veggie sandwich – Layers of roasted veggies and cheese, pressed ahead of time so the flavors meld perfectly.
Snack platters – Think cheese, crackers, hummus, salami, nuts, and fruit. Basically a camp charcuterie board.
Tinned fish – Tuna salad or canned salmon in olive oil with crackers makes a high-protein, no-fuss lunch.
Dinners
Dinner is when camping meals really shine. After a day outside, you’ll want something hearty and flavorful—and preferably cooked over the fire:
Hobo dinners – Veggies + protein wrapped in foil and cooked over the coals. Easy, customizable, and so satisfying.
Crunchwrap Supremes – Yes, the fast food favorite! Wrap your fillings in a tortilla, toast it in a skillet, and you’ve got campfire magic.
Tacos – Always a win. Prep toppings ahead of time for easy assembly.
Stuffed sweet potatoes – Bake foil-wrapped potatoes in the fire, then load with beans, veggies, or pulled pork.
Grilled meat + veggies – Keep it simple: chicken, steak, or fish with seasonal veggies.
Chicken Caesar wraps – A quick and lighter dinner option that still feels indulgent.
Pasta with vodka sauce + sausage – Comfort food at its best (bonus if you pack garlic bread).
Sausage and pepper sandwiches – Easy to make in a cast iron skillet over the fire.
Sweet and sour grilled chicken with rice + broccoli – Make the sauce ahead of time for easier cooking.
Asian-style beef + rice – Marinate the beef at home and toss it in the cooler. Perfect campfire stir-fry.
Snack dinner – When in doubt, just put out all the crackers, cheese, dips, and snacks you have left. Sometimes that’s the best meal of all.
We love getting a little gourmet, but sometimes a camping trip calls for ramen noodles and/or Annie's Mac and Cheese - so don't think we are always going all out. The most important thing is just to get outside and have fun!
Gear That Makes It All Possible
The right gear is what turns campsite meals from “meh” to magical. Here’s what we rely on (and love) for stress-free camp cooking:
FSR Gas Stove – This is hands-down our favorite piece of gear. It’s compact, powerful, and has never let us down—whether we’re boiling water for coffee or frying up a full dinner. After years of full-time travel, it’s still going strong.
Cast Iron Skillet – If we had to choose just one piece of cookware, this would be it. You can fry bacon, sear meat, toast quesadillas, or bake right over the fire. Ours basically lives in our rig.
Camp Kitchen Tools – A sturdy spatula, a good knife, tongs, and a small cutting board make everything easier. Don’t skimp here—cheap tools will frustrate you fast.
Spare Butane – Running out of fuel in the middle of cooking is the worst. We always keep a couple of extra canisters tucked away.
Camp Sink – This little folding sink makes washing dishes simple and keeps gray water contained.
Biodegradable Soap – We use this to cut through greasy pans without harming the environment.
Paper Plates – Some nights you just don’t want dishes. Paper plates (or compostable ones) are a total sanity saver.
Cooler - we are a little obsessed with our electric cooler by Dometic, we love not having to restock ice ever day! Its on the pricer side, but it is so worth it for us.
👉 If you’re building out your own camp kitchen, these are the items that truly make a difference. Once you have them, every meal feels less like “roughing it” and more like a cozy outdoor dinner party.
Final Thoughts
The best camping meals are the ones that bring people together and keep the vibe easy. Fall camping is already magical—the food should just add to it. A little prep (and the right gear) goes a long way, and trust me, nothing feels better than sitting under the stars with a full belly and good company.
So pack your cooler, grab your cast iron, and let the fire (and food) do the rest.
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